Renza Scibilia, manager of type one diabetes and consumer voice for Diabetes Australia, told The Huffington Post Australia diabetes is a major global health challenge in the 21st century and one of the biggest threats to economies around the world.

"Diabetes is a growing trend in Australia. Last year, for the second year in a row, 100,000 Australians were diagnosed.

"It's a very significant health challenge. It needs to be recognised and it needs to be talked about," Scibilia said.

According to Diabetes NSW, one in 10 Australians die each year from type two diabetes-related illnesses.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose.

"Within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Governments have set an ambitious target to reduce premature mortality...by one third; achieve universal health coverage; and provide access to affordable essential medicines -- all by 2030," the WHO website states.